To #3 "Take More Courses Each Term": This is good advice, but here's something that may make it even more enticing to do. A lot of colleges make it a flat rate once you take enough classes for full time status. For example, University of Tennessee says that full time status is 12 hours, so you pay per hour until 12 hours, but 12+ hours all costs the same. So tuition at 18 hours is the same as tuition at 12 hours. The only thing that might vary is if the classes have extra fees associated with them (like for example, my engineering courses get about an extra $100/course added to their cost regardless of whether I'm a full time or part time student).
I did this back in 2011. Every month, I cut something out, only for that month. Many were diet related (sugar, alcohol, meat, dairy, dining out) and many were not (television, driving, cursing,) All were sucessful and I had been inspired by a book called "Living Well with Less", where the author had done similar challenges.
One that is important is to see a counselor frequently. Sometimes curriculums change, and when they do you may have to spend an extra semester taking a class or two, plus sometimes certain classes are only offered at particular semesters. Be informed and stay informed is my motto. I have two in college this year, one will be living at home and commuting, that will save $10k between food and dorm. Books are another thing. My oldest had four physics classes in one semester. The books were $250 a piece! Plus, he wants to keep them for reference. So, I use many websites including the barnes and noble, betterworldbooks.com, clegg.com etc. You can save a bundle, shop early and smart.
It's irresponsible to promote solar panels as money-saving. Even with a system that is tied to the grid that gives you credit for excess electricity, the chances of seeing a return before the system needs replacing is very low. Active solar is a terrible choice as a money-saving investment.
CalendarBudget has a 21-Day Budgeting Habit Installer that is very popular. I've heard in the past that new behaviors take 21-30 days to become a habit - some now say it takes longer. I think it depends on how much effort/focus you put into it.
With an older home in an area of the country where energy rates are quite low, it hasn't made financial sense to add solar panels, especially since the underlying roof will need to be replaced in another four or five years, so the entire installation would have to be removed, then replaced. I did, however, just buy a solar battery charging system, for use with our camp trailer.
Baby formula saves lives and safely nourishes most infants at one point or another. Our infant mortality rates have NOTHING to do with infant formula. It was invented to save lives. Our neonate mortality rate is excellent in hospital births. It is 3 times higher in Home births. Breastfeeding is fine but definatley not for everyone. I am Sooo sick of hearing about the evils of Formula feeding infants. Get over your boobs lady. Many many children are saved by eating formula because not everyone can BF. A cranky tired mom with sore nipples is not going to be a really happy mother. Many women are guilted into Breastfeed and the bullying needs to stop NOW!!!!!
Baby Formula manufactured in the USA Is carefully regulated by the FDA.
This is not China or some 3rd world country. Most babies who get sick from formula are in the Sub Sahara, not the US.
I cringe when I see people spending $70-100 per month on cell service. I've been with Virgin Wireless for ages and you can get unlimited phone, text, and data for $40.... And no stress, no contract!!!
I've been doing this for a year, and it works well for me. The psychological benefit in paying myself first is the best reward. The only thing I do differently is that I do not save the rest after savings, bills and expenses. That wouldn't work for me. Because my income is so tight right now, whenever I have money left towards the end of the month, I use it for whatever I wasn't able to pay for earlier---supplies that are on clearance, getting household repairs done, etc. It still feels like a bonus, and I'm still motivated to cut expenses during the month--it just ends up in a different place. Great article, thanks!
The best personal finance books I have read is ''Rich Dad Poor Dad'' followed by ''The Cashflow Quadrant'' both by Robert Kiyosaki.These are not step by step how to get rich books but rather financial knowledge presented in an easy to understand manner in order to put you in the Right Financial State of Mind required for becoming financially successful.The challenge though as is with any new knowledge gained is to actually put that knowledge into action.
We're putting one through school now and we're using an 'all of the above' strategy for paying cash and not using loans. We've used several of the things you listed (taking classes in high school, testing out) and we've added in scholarships and choosing an affordable school to begin with. So far, so good!
I agree about using reward cards. Also, when road tripping I like to get gas gift cards/restaurant gift cards at a store that gives double fuel reward points for gift card purchases. That way I can save more on fuel while driving. It might be only .10 or .20 cents off a gallon but it sure adds up if you plan on traveling a couple hours or couple states away.
Also, depending on your day trip destination and length of stay, it might be economical to hoof it while traveling. For example, some cities offer a park and ride program or have a city transit system that can take people to tourist attractions or towards shopping centers Just be sure to bring re-useable tote bags so that shopping more than one store without a lot of extra plastic bags is easier
I read quite a few personal finance books, but I think the most useful one was Kiplinger's Guide to Investing. It was easy to understand, highly detailed, and extremely informative.
Thing is that personal finance books are almost all the same; they all have the exact same advice (cut luxuries, have emergency fund, save, buy used, etc). What made Kiplinger's special was that they also offered information and advice on products which is not recommended to the average person simply for information and education.
All in all, though, while I read plenty of personal finance books and think they're a good resource, I still think the greatest personal finance resource is simply the Internet. The books are great, but they just really don't compare to the vast, endless ocean of information for virtually every little thing provided by the numerous finance blogs, discussion forums, and wikis.
One of the good things about the Kindle is that you can get free books every day - and not just the classics. A website called Pixel of Ink has free and greatly reduced prices; they send you an email with the list and links to Amazon. Free is good - you can't beat it with a stick. And, if you like something enough, then you can make the investment to get the tangible book.
Looking forward to flying Turkish business using US Airways miles accumulated back when the cost for those miles was even cheaper. 1.88 cents per mile is still not cheap in my book.
I did a seven-day vegetarian challenge that never really ended. I haven't eaten meat since the day before the challenge started and am now a vegan. Did I think I'd make the full change? No. But I did and I'd never go back.
I also challenged myself to run 100 miles over the course of a month. I hit 100 with a week to go! 30 day challenges really, really work.
Credit card's have the highest interest rates, and if you are not financial literate you should not be spending what you don't have. with things like paypal you really don't need one
I like to read and reread personal finance books to keep my spirits up when I'm losing motivation to be frugal. Some of my favorites include The Tightwad Gazette (even though a lot of the articles are almost twenty years old, the principles of saving money still apply today), Your Money or Your Life (more about the philosophy behind how we spend money), and Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover (always leaves me fired up to pay off debt). I read blogs like Wisebread too, but I can get a lot of personal finance books for free from the library, so cost isn't an issue.
To #3 "Take More Courses Each Term": This is good advice, but here's something that may make it even more enticing to do. A lot of colleges make it a flat rate once you take enough classes for full time status. For example, University of Tennessee says that full time status is 12 hours, so you pay per hour until 12 hours, but 12+ hours all costs the same. So tuition at 18 hours is the same as tuition at 12 hours. The only thing that might vary is if the classes have extra fees associated with them (like for example, my engineering courses get about an extra $100/course added to their cost regardless of whether I'm a full time or part time student).
I did this back in 2011. Every month, I cut something out, only for that month. Many were diet related (sugar, alcohol, meat, dairy, dining out) and many were not (television, driving, cursing,) All were sucessful and I had been inspired by a book called "Living Well with Less", where the author had done similar challenges.
One that is important is to see a counselor frequently. Sometimes curriculums change, and when they do you may have to spend an extra semester taking a class or two, plus sometimes certain classes are only offered at particular semesters. Be informed and stay informed is my motto. I have two in college this year, one will be living at home and commuting, that will save $10k between food and dorm. Books are another thing. My oldest had four physics classes in one semester. The books were $250 a piece! Plus, he wants to keep them for reference. So, I use many websites including the barnes and noble, betterworldbooks.com, clegg.com etc. You can save a bundle, shop early and smart.
It's irresponsible to promote solar panels as money-saving. Even with a system that is tied to the grid that gives you credit for excess electricity, the chances of seeing a return before the system needs replacing is very low. Active solar is a terrible choice as a money-saving investment.
Installing Solar was the best thing I have done for a long while. Eliminated my electric bills entirely. 2.5 kw system--1670 sq ft home--Arizona.
CalendarBudget has a 21-Day Budgeting Habit Installer that is very popular. I've heard in the past that new behaviors take 21-30 days to become a habit - some now say it takes longer. I think it depends on how much effort/focus you put into it.
With an older home in an area of the country where energy rates are quite low, it hasn't made financial sense to add solar panels, especially since the underlying roof will need to be replaced in another four or five years, so the entire installation would have to be removed, then replaced. I did, however, just buy a solar battery charging system, for use with our camp trailer.
Baby formula saves lives and safely nourishes most infants at one point or another. Our infant mortality rates have NOTHING to do with infant formula. It was invented to save lives. Our neonate mortality rate is excellent in hospital births. It is 3 times higher in Home births. Breastfeeding is fine but definatley not for everyone. I am Sooo sick of hearing about the evils of Formula feeding infants. Get over your boobs lady. Many many children are saved by eating formula because not everyone can BF. A cranky tired mom with sore nipples is not going to be a really happy mother. Many women are guilted into Breastfeed and the bullying needs to stop NOW!!!!!
Baby Formula manufactured in the USA Is carefully regulated by the FDA.
This is not China or some 3rd world country. Most babies who get sick from formula are in the Sub Sahara, not the US.
Dave Ramsey, The Millionaire Next Door, Your Money or Your Life are my faves so far.
I cringe when I see people spending $70-100 per month on cell service. I've been with Virgin Wireless for ages and you can get unlimited phone, text, and data for $40.... And no stress, no contract!!!
Think of how much money you'd have to have in the bank to earn enough $'s of interest to buy such and such a thing that is non-essential.
Utilize state parks for a vacation. During the summer most offer kids programs, guided hikes etc
I've been doing this for a year, and it works well for me. The psychological benefit in paying myself first is the best reward. The only thing I do differently is that I do not save the rest after savings, bills and expenses. That wouldn't work for me. Because my income is so tight right now, whenever I have money left towards the end of the month, I use it for whatever I wasn't able to pay for earlier---supplies that are on clearance, getting household repairs done, etc. It still feels like a bonus, and I'm still motivated to cut expenses during the month--it just ends up in a different place. Great article, thanks!
The best personal finance books I have read is ''Rich Dad Poor Dad'' followed by ''The Cashflow Quadrant'' both by Robert Kiyosaki.These are not step by step how to get rich books but rather financial knowledge presented in an easy to understand manner in order to put you in the Right Financial State of Mind required for becoming financially successful.The challenge though as is with any new knowledge gained is to actually put that knowledge into action.
We're putting one through school now and we're using an 'all of the above' strategy for paying cash and not using loans. We've used several of the things you listed (taking classes in high school, testing out) and we've added in scholarships and choosing an affordable school to begin with. So far, so good!
Excellent advice, NJ. Thanks for sharing!
I agree about using reward cards. Also, when road tripping I like to get gas gift cards/restaurant gift cards at a store that gives double fuel reward points for gift card purchases. That way I can save more on fuel while driving. It might be only .10 or .20 cents off a gallon but it sure adds up if you plan on traveling a couple hours or couple states away.
Also, depending on your day trip destination and length of stay, it might be economical to hoof it while traveling. For example, some cities offer a park and ride program or have a city transit system that can take people to tourist attractions or towards shopping centers Just be sure to bring re-useable tote bags so that shopping more than one store without a lot of extra plastic bags is easier
I read quite a few personal finance books, but I think the most useful one was Kiplinger's Guide to Investing. It was easy to understand, highly detailed, and extremely informative.
Thing is that personal finance books are almost all the same; they all have the exact same advice (cut luxuries, have emergency fund, save, buy used, etc). What made Kiplinger's special was that they also offered information and advice on products which is not recommended to the average person simply for information and education.
All in all, though, while I read plenty of personal finance books and think they're a good resource, I still think the greatest personal finance resource is simply the Internet. The books are great, but they just really don't compare to the vast, endless ocean of information for virtually every little thing provided by the numerous finance blogs, discussion forums, and wikis.
One of the good things about the Kindle is that you can get free books every day - and not just the classics. A website called Pixel of Ink has free and greatly reduced prices; they send you an email with the list and links to Amazon. Free is good - you can't beat it with a stick. And, if you like something enough, then you can make the investment to get the tangible book.
Just a thought...
Looking forward to flying Turkish business using US Airways miles accumulated back when the cost for those miles was even cheaper. 1.88 cents per mile is still not cheap in my book.
I did a seven-day vegetarian challenge that never really ended. I haven't eaten meat since the day before the challenge started and am now a vegan. Did I think I'd make the full change? No. But I did and I'd never go back.
I also challenged myself to run 100 miles over the course of a month. I hit 100 with a week to go! 30 day challenges really, really work.
Next up: I'm doing this in June: http://www.lifelessbullshit.com/30-day-sugar-detox/
Total Money Makeover by David Ramsey was an eye-opener and has helped me with my personal financial management.
Credit card's have the highest interest rates, and if you are not financial literate you should not be spending what you don't have. with things like paypal you really don't need one
I like to read and reread personal finance books to keep my spirits up when I'm losing motivation to be frugal. Some of my favorites include The Tightwad Gazette (even though a lot of the articles are almost twenty years old, the principles of saving money still apply today), Your Money or Your Life (more about the philosophy behind how we spend money), and Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover (always leaves me fired up to pay off debt). I read blogs like Wisebread too, but I can get a lot of personal finance books for free from the library, so cost isn't an issue.
I don't read whole books, but I definitely read blogs, reports from investment firms, get advice from family members who have done well financially.